Thursday, February 13, 2020

Valentines & Thank You Messages

Children made more Valentine's today...for one another, family members, Victor and Lucila, and others in our St. John's community. Relationships within KW were evident as a few children made comments like, "I'm making one for you and..." 

Grace M. began with a plan: "I'm making a message for Charlie because I miss him." (She added her name and her symbol.)  "He might not know my name (by print) but he definitely will know my symbol."  After delivering Charlie's message: "Now I will make a message for my baby Charlie." 
Lane: "I'm making a message for Cannon. I know what I can cut out...a dinosaur! ...Or a gorilla! He really likes gorillas!" Lane proceeded to cut out pieces to make a gorilla. (Perhaps working off of the collage challenge idea from last week.)
Maren: "I hope Cannon likes that."
Gigi: "I'm making one for Lane."
Grace M: "I'm making a message for Victor."

Additionally, Lou Lou and Grace worked on special THANK YOU messages for Jen's husband, Todd, and Victor who helped us complete and install the Shiny Light the children worked so hard on and that is now hanging in the entryway. Lou Lou and Grace dictated the messages they wanted to then write out...
 
To Victor: "Thank you for hanging the light!"

To Todd: "I love the light. Thanks for fixing the wires!"

Grace and Lou Lou were given a couple photos of the light they could choose to add to the cards. They both chose the photo of the light which is taken from the perspective of looking up, underneath the light. 

A Construction Challenge with Heart

Given how much the children have been enjoying and working intentionally with recent challenges we decided to offer one with a twist for Valentine's Day: Build something in the shape of a heart! Many of the children were excited to engage with this experience today. Here are two interpretations which began in these heart-shapes. One on the light table with translucent Valentine's colored materials and one out of blocks and other construction materials. The children in both groups declared: "It's a heart!"

The children continued working on these heart-inspired creations, collaborating with one another and developing elaborate designs and representations. At the light table, children created a type of prince and princess wedding.

Lane: "This is a slide and this is a dance party."
Grace D.: "These are the cookies." (red circles)
Maren: "This is kind of connected" (to the slide).
Grace D.: "If you go down the slide or win the flower dance you get a cookie."
Sally: "This (cylinders & stained glass blocks) is the royal miniature dance party. This is the best thing ever."
Lane: "Where is the flower girl? Let's start this dance party."
​Grace D.: "I'll do it right away." (Make the flower girl.)

In the construction using blocks and other materials, there were elements of pattern, symmetry, and balance. The children seemed to alternate reflective with opaque and matte materials on the block heart design.

When Austin, Sam, and Jack were finished building, Austin asked to photograph the finished work. Look at all they included:

Wood & Clay Sewing 

Today Jack, Maren, Grace David, and Ellie returned to the clay and wood slabs they had prepared and began sewing through the holes. They used a variety of materials as well as stitching to create designs. 

Grace D.: "I love every kind of sewing." (While working she explains:) "Mine is a pattern." (She placed two beads on each stitch.) "I did this at my home." 

Jack about sewing on clay: "I like the feel of it." 

Thank you, Katherine & Sam for the delicious treat!!

As a special surprise, after lunch we all enjoyed brownies made by Katherine Boone. The children were delighted with the red hearts placed on top and everyone agreed how incredibly delicious the brownies were. In fact, we hardly took a photo to document this highlight of our day in between devouring the goodies!